Irie

Photo: Copyright House of Kosi

I know, I know. I’m sure your first thought is how to pronounce irie (EYE-ree). Your second is probably what in the world does it even mean? It’s when you’re at total peace with your current state of being.

The backstory: You know those go-to doodles we all have? This was mine for countless years. I used to write this word everywhere. I’d always wanted a tattoo that held significant meaning so I knew this would be my first. When I got this tattoo in March 2017, the word irie wasn’t new to me, but feeling irie was. More and more I was finding myself encountering moments of clarity in life. Peace in both the quiet moments and the chaos. Peace with who and where I was.

It was also somewhat of a monumental time for us. I had been cancer-free for a few years, was newly married and we had decided to add to our family (I have two incredible stepsons). This meant coming off of the medications that had managed my fibromyalgia for nearly a decade. But it wasn’t easy. I was blindsided by nearly unbearable side effects for weeks on end and truly suffered. (Future post to come on that.)

This tattoo gave me something to hold onto when I needed it most pre-pregnancy, but as it turns out, especially during. I clung to it fiercely since it was a daily reminder of my ultimate goal. And when I took this photo almost exactly one year later in March 2018 – of my newborn’s hand near the tattoo – it felt like a full-circle moment. Those are the moments that matter most in life. Being present, happy and content right where you are, while recognizing and acknowledging the journey you’ve been on to get there.

If you’re struggling through something, know that you will eventually find peace, but understand that it will fluctuate day to day. And that’s ok. Want a helpful tip? Do this: At least once a day, take a deep breath. Visualize yourself inhaling peace and love…and breathing out stress, worry and the things you don’t need. It sounds silly but if you do this daily, you’ll slowly feel the weight start lifting enough to clear a way for you to be where you want to be.